Flow is a collaboration between owl Project and Ed Carter, working with architect Nicky Kirk, boat builder Nick Spurr and his team in amble, and waterwheel designer David Willcox.
Flow is a tidemill – a floating building that generates its own power using a tidal water wheel.
Inside the building you’ll find a series of electro acoustic musical machinery and instruments which respond to the changes in the river, generating sound and data.
I was lucky enough to have a guided tour by a couple of the producers and have to say my favorite is probably The Saliniity Sampler Sequencer, with its amazing wooden conveyor belt!
It makes a tune that lasts 12 hours with salt levels controlling the instrument’s pitch.
Much of the wood is reclaimed including Ash and Oak.
Other musical instruments include The Bubble Synth and a Turbidatron. Its worth a visit and is viewable until 31st May, part of the Cultural Olympiad with plenty happening at the Sage and Baltic – I’m leading on Busy B’s at Baltic in April with the chance to create a floating building out of recycled materials.
